Grinder Pump Policy
The Importance of Grinder Pumps
The low pressure sewage system servicing your home is part of a larger City of Hagerstown Wastewater Collection System. The grinder pump in your yard is an important part of the 150+ mile pipe system that carries sewage to the Wastewater Treatment Plant operated by City of Hagerstown.
Types of Pumps
The Hagerstown Utilities Department, Wastewater Division uses several types of collection systems. Each has been designed to serve the customer in a particular area. Topography, the physical features of the earth, plays an important role in design selection. In areas which cannot be served by gravity flow, pumps are used to pump sewage into the pipe of a downstream gravity pipeline.
Your home is served by a low pressure system, which uses a grinder pump to grind the sewage from your home (much like a garbage disposal in your kitchen) and pumps the sewage through small plastic pipes to the larger pipes in the street.Low pressure systems are sometimes used in areas which cannot be served by gravity pipes. However, a grinder pump system does require the homeowner to take a more active role than required by a homeowner served by a gravity system.
It is important that you know how your home sewer system operates and that you notify the Hagerstown Utilities Department – Wastewater Division if a problem occurs. The unit servicing your home is maintained by the Hagerstown Utilities Department – Wastewater Division. With your cooperation, your low pressure system will provide years of safe, reliable service. Please read the following information on the proper use, emergency procedures and special situation guidelines.
Additional Resources
